Multi-chambered container

ABSTRACT

A multi-chambered container having at least two chambers connected by webbing is described, wherein at least one chamber has at least one indentation, each pair of chambers is connected by webbing, at least one pair of chambers connected by webbing includes a non-webbed area, and a grippable portion. The container is useful to supply one or more materials, or to collect one or more materials, and can be indexed for proper correlation with an associated apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A multi-chambered container that is one piece, and is capable of containing liquids, solids, or gasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers are used for many different materials, including liquids, solids, and gasses. In some industries, multiple materials are required to complete a process. For example, in photofinishing and film development, more than one chemical is necessary to complete processing steps such as developing, bleaching, and fixing. The photographic film and paper processing agents are contained in separate containers, and distributed to a processing station lab. The containers for the photographic processing agents are installed in an automatic photo-processor by an operator. The individual containers can be supplied as a unit, wherein an outer containment unit, such as a box, tie, or cartridge, is used to house the individual containers in a single unit, to simplify installation and removal of the containers.

Similarly, in printing, multiple colors, or multiple containers of a single color, can be used. In ink jet or laser printers, for example, multiple individual containers, separately or in a common containment unit, are used to satisfy the requirements of supplying more than one colorant to the printer.

Other areas in which multiple materials, or a single container having multiple chambers, have been used include detergent bottles, and lawn and garden chemical bottles, wherein the chambers may carry different chemicals, or one chamber may serve as a measuring chamber for a material stored in the second chamber.

Examples of various configurations of multiple containers in a containment unit, and of multi-chambered containers, include the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,457,602 B2; 4,860,927; 6,951,276; D 494,851 S; D 368,555; D 400,263; D. 292,373; D. 394,805; and D. 365,983; US Patent Application Publication US 2005/0175338 A1; and WO 94/16969.

Many industries have a need to supply more than one material in a limited space, whether the materials supplied are liquids, solids, gasses, or a combination thereof. Further, there is a need to simplify manufacturing, reduce material waste, and lower manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a one-piece container including at least two chambers, wherein each chamber independently has an internal cavity defining a volume and an opening connected to the internal cavity, and at least one chamber has at least one indentation; webbing between each pair of chambers, wherein the webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area; and a grippable portion formed by at least one indentation in a chamber, a non-webbed area, or a combination thereof. The container can be a delivery system, can be used in a system for delivery of materials supplied by the container, and can be used as a method of supplying materials.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The multi-chambered container has numerous advantages over existing container and dispenser devices. For example, the multi-chambered container provides more than one material in a confined space. The multi-chambered container further does not require a separate containment unit, such as a box, thereby simplifying manufacturing as compared to existing multiple bottle systems, and providing a more environmentally-friendly packaging by reducing packaging material use and waste. The features of the multi-chambered container can be designed to prevent incorrect loading of the container in a device, and can include indicia for ease of installation. The container has grippable portions, increasing the ergonomic ease of use. The container is also flexible, allowing play in alignment of the chambers in inserting into a device. Other advantages will be apparent upon reading the remainder of the document, and study of the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a two-chambered container;

FIG. 2 is a front view of another two-chambered container;

FIG. 3 is a front view of three-chambered container;

FIG. 4 is a left, front, top isometric view of a three-chambered container;

FIG. 5 is a right, rear, bottom isometric view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a right view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a left view of the three-chambered container of FIG. 4. The figures are exemplary embodiments only, and other embodiments will be apparent from review of the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A one-piece container can include at least two chambers, wherein each chamber independently has an internal cavity defining a volume and an opening connected to the internal cavity, and at least one chamber has at least one indentation; webbing between each pair of chambers, wherein the webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area; and a grippable portion formed by at least one indentation in a chamber, a non-webbed area, or a combination thereof. The container can be a delivery system, can be used in a system for delivery of materials supplied by the container, and can be used as a method of supplying materials.

The container can be formed of any suitable material, for example, polymeric material such as plastics, glass, or metal. The container material can be chosen to reduce or eliminate reactivity with the material the container chambers will hold. For example, caustic chemicals can best be contained in glass or plastic. Exemplary plastics include, for example, polyethylene, including high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isosorbide terephthalate, vinyl, or other plastic materials known in the art. If a plastic material is chosen, it can be a harder or softer plastic, depending on container contents, desired durability, and intended use.

The container can be formed by any known methods. For example, a plastic container can be formed by blow molding, injection molding, or thermal molding. Glass can be molded to form the container. Metal can be smelted and poured, hammered, or bent into shape. If parts of the container are formed in separate pieces, the pieces can be joined by thermal or sonic welding, by adhesive, by fasteners, or a combination thereof.

The container can include two or more chambers, wherein the chambers are joined by webbing. The chambers and webbing together form a one-piece container. The container can be formed integrally, or by joining individually formed pieces, as addressed elsewhere herein. According to one embodiment, the container is integrally formed, for example, of blow-molded or injection-molded plastic.

The webbing extends between pairs of chambers. The webbing between any two chambers can be formed of the same or a different material than at least one of the chambers. For example, the entire container can be formed of a single material, or two types of plastics can be used, for example, a more malleable plastic for the webbing and a less malleable plastic for at least one of the chambers connected to the webbing.

The webbing can be any desired thickness. The webbing thickness, width, and height each independently can be determined by intended use, considering, for example, aesthetics, desired flexibility between chambers, interaction with associated equipment, durability, ease of manufacturing, and cost of materials. Other factors for consideration will be apparent to those skilled in container manufacture. The webbing can be of varied thicknesses. The webbing can be embossed, engraved, etched, painted, or printed.

The webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area. A two-chambered container can include both webbing and a non-webbed area between the chambers. Where three or more chambers are present in the container, each pair of adjacent chambers is connected by webbing, and at least one pair of adjacent chambers is connected by webbing including a non-webbed area between the chambers.

The non-webbed area can extend to a top or bottom of the container. The non-webbed area can form a shaped absence of webbing material, for example, a slot, circle, oval, polygon, or irregular shape. More than one non-webbed area can be present in the webbing between a pair of chambers. The webbing and non-webbed areas together can form a design, lettering, numerals, or perforations.

The container can include two or more chambers, wherein at least one chamber has an internal cavity defining a volume. Each chamber having a cavity further includes an opening connected to the internal cavity, such that materials can be added to or removed from the cavity through the opening. The opening can be placed on any suitable surface of the container, for example, top, bottom, or sides. The opening can be on one or more chamber side including a webbing.

Each chamber can be made of the same or a different material of at least one other chamber of the container. According to one embodiment, all chambers are made of the same material. According to another embodiment, all chambers and the interconnecting webbing are made of the same material.

Each chamber can be of the same or different dimensions, for example, height, width, depth, volume, overall shape, or a combination thereof, as at least one other chamber. According to one embodiment, the shapes of the containers are varied. Each chamber independently can be of a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape. Each chamber independently can be polygonal, round, ovoid, or irregularly shaped. Each chamber can have at least a portion of the chamber that is polygonal, round, ovoid, or irregularly shaped, herein at least one other portion of the chamber is differently shaped. One or more edge of a chamber can be angular or rounded. The width, depth, or both of each chamber can vary over the height of the chamber. The shapes of at least two containers can be different.

Different volumes between two or more chambers can be achieved by changing the dimensions, or overall shape, of a chamber, by changing the shape or dimensions of the internal cavity of the chambers, by filling at least a portion of the internal cavity or chamber, or a combination thereof. For example, filler can be added directly to a chamber, and a partition, flexible structure such as a bag, or inflexible structure can be added to the chamber to form the internal cavity.

The internal cavity suitable for holding materials can be formed by the interior of the chamber walls. The internal cavity can be formed by formation of a second, enclosed internal space within the chamber, wherein the internal space can be separated from the interior chamber walls, abut the interior chamber walls, or be formed by at least a portion of at least one interior chamber wall. The internal cavity can be connected to the opening in the chamber. Where the internal cavity is formed at least partially by a structure other than the interior chamber walls, the structure can be molded as part of the opening, or connected to the opening by a form of welding, adhesive, fasteners, or a combination thereof. The internal cavity can have some or all of the volume consumed by a filler, for example, a solid, liquid, or gas. Filler can be enclosed, for example, in a bag or other containment unit, before adding to the internal cavity of a chamber.

At least one chamber of the container can have at least one indentation. The indentation can be of any width, height, depth, or shape desired. The dimensions and shape of the indentation can be determined by aesthetics, interaction with associated equipment, ease of manufacturing, and cost of materials. Other factors for consideration will be apparent to those skilled in container manufacture. More than one indentation can be present in a chamber. The indentation can be wholly formed on one surface of the container. The indentation can be formed such that it extends across two or more surfaces of the container, for example, on an edge, where two or three surfaces can be affected. The indentation can be formed as a polygonal, arcuate, or irregular shape. A polygonal indentation, including a V-shaped indentation, can have rounded edges.

The indentation can be aligned with an adjacent or remote webbing, such that one portion of the indentation, for example, a top or bottom, aligns with one end of a webbing area. The indentation can extend for the length of the webbing, or be longer or shorter than the length of the webbing. The indentation can be aligned with an adjacent or remote non-webbed area such that one portion of the indentation, for example, a top or bottom, aligns with one end of a non-webbed area. The indentation can extend for the length of the non-webbed area, or be longer or shorter than the length of the non-webbed area. The indentation can be centered on an adjacent or remote webbing or non-webbed area. The indentation can have no relation to either a webbing or non-webbed area. By “remote” webbing or non-webbed area, it is meant a webbing or non-webbed area that is not connected to the indented chamber.

The container can include a grippable portion. The grippable portion is sufficient for a user to pick up the container using at least one finger and an opposed thumb, or at least two fingers. The grippable portion can be formed by at least one indentation in at least one chamber, a non-webbed area, or any combination thereof. If the grippable portion is formed by an indentation, it can be formed by an indentation in one or more sides of a chamber. The indentation can be sufficiently sized to accommodate at least one finger or a thumb. According to at least one embodiment, at least two opposed sides of a chamber can be indented, providing an indented or recessed area for gripping. If the grippable area is formed by a non-webbed area, the non-webbed area can be sufficiently sized to accommodate at least one finger, for example, two or more fingers, such that the container can be lifted or moved by the non-webbed area. The grippable area can be formed by a combination of one or more indentation and one or more non-webbed area. For example, an indentation in a chamber can be aligned at least in part with an adjacent non-webbed area. The indentation can be on the chamber side attached to the webbing, or on a perpendicular chamber side from the webbing side.

The container can include one or more indexing features. Indexing features can be used for alignment of the container with associated equipment. Indexing features can include one or more indentation, one or more non-webbed area, one or more webbing area, a raised portion of the container surface, or some combination thereof.

The container can include one or more indicia on any surface, for example, a chamber wall, webbing, or opening. Indicia can include alpha-numerics, symbols, drawings, or colored areas. Indicia can be applied to the container with adhesive, fasteners, printing techniques, painting, engraving, etching, as a slipcover, or by any other means. Indicia can be formed as part of the container, on one or more chamber or webbing area, or a combination thereof. A non-webbed area, or combination of webbing and non-webbed area can form indicia, for example, alpha-numerics or a symbol.

The container can have one or more labels. The label can be affixed to the container by heat, adhesive, slipcover, fastener, or other known methods of attachment. The label can be on one or more surface of the container, for example, extending across at least a portion of one or more chambers, or at least a portion of one chamber and at least a portion of a webbing. Alternately, the label can be formed integrally as part of the container, wherein the label is formed as part of one or more chamber, webbing area, or a combination thereof. The label can include information such as, but not limited to, manufacturer, materials, hazard information, run date, batch number, expiration date, and use instructions. The label and indicia can be the same according to certain embodiments.

The opening of one or more chambers can be formed integrally with the chamber, or separately therefrom and attached thereto during manufacturing. The opening can be planar with the surface of the chamber including the opening, recessed from the surface, or raised from the surface, for example, in a neck-like formation. Examples of raised openings include those suitable for closure with screw tops or pressure fit tops. The opening can be closed by any means, for example, a screw top, a pressure fit top, a film, or a plug.

The container can be made in various configurations. According to one embodiment, the two or more chambers of the container can be in-line, such that the containers are co-planar. The container can be made such that at least one chamber is not co-planar with at least one other chamber, for example, by curving or forming an angled webbing between a pair of chambers in the container. The container can describe an arc, S-curve, or other non-linear shape. The container can be substantially polygonal, round, ovoid, or irregularly shaped, wherein the container shape is described by the overall circumferential shape formed by the outer surface of the chambers. All chambers can be connected by webbing to at least one other chamber.

The material of the container can allow the container to be moved out of plane. This allows the container to be adapted to fit in a carton, other containment unit, or an apparatus that is arcuate, round, ovoid, polygonal, or irregularly shaped. A container having more than two chambers can be manipulated to form a polygonal, round, ovoid, or irregular closed shape, having two end chambers, not connected by webbing, abutted.

One or more container can be placed in a containment unit. A containment unit can be any material or combination of materials that extends around the periphery or circumference of the container, for example, one or more strap, rope, a film or flexible wrapper, a box, a carton, a bag, or other enclosure. The containment unit can be designed to be removed before use of the container, or can be designed to remain on the container during use.

The container can be designed to carry any type of material, or combination of materials, desirable. For example, one or more chambers of the container can be filled with a liquid, solid, gas, or combination thereof. Exemplary uses of the container include supplying materials for use in a system, for example, photofinishing, medical imaging, or printing systems. The container be used to supply materials, for example, those used in film development, including photographic, x-ray, MRI, and CAT scan film development, paper development, pool chemistry kits, ink jet or laser printing, or copying. The container can act as the supply of materials in a system, and can be inserted into or connected to an apparatus to supply materials for the system. The container can be used to supply one or more material. The container can be used as a dispenser for one or more material, for example, developer, bleach, fixatives, disinfectants, biocides, pesticides, cleaning agents, surfactants, or chlorine, in liquid, solid, or gaseous form. The container can be used to collect one or more material, for example, waste collection. Each chamber can be connected to a waste line, and may contain the same or different waste material when in use.

As an example, one use of the container can be to supply photofinishing chemicals. The container can include one chemical in all chambers, or different chemicals in each chamber. The chemicals can be in the same or different states, including liquid, solid, and gaseous. The full container can be emptied into a supply tank for a photofinishing device, or can be directly inserted into a photofinishing device, acting as the supply tank for the chemicals. The container can include indicia indicting the content of each chamber, or the orientation of the container when inserted into a photofinishing device. The container can include one or more label with information such as, but not limited to, manufacturer, materials, hazard information, run date, batch number, expiration date, and use instructions. The container can include one or more indexing feature, or key, to ensure proper orientation upon insertion into, or connection with, an apparatus or system.

Examples of various possible container configurations are described below with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a one-piece container 10 having two chambers 12. An opening 14 is positioned at a top portion 30 of each chamber 12. Webbing 18 connects the chambers, leaving a non-webbed area 20 extending from the bottom of the webbing 18 to the bottom 32 of the chambers 12. An indentation 16 is present on one container. The container has eight sides. The indentation 16 extends across one entire side 34 of the right chamber, and across two corners 36 of the chamber, extending slightly into the front 38 and rear surfaces of the container. A grippable portion 22 is formed by the indentation 16.

FIG. 2 shows a second example of a one-piece container 10 having two chambers 12. An opening 14 is positioned at a top portion 30 of each chamber 12. Webbing 18 connects the chambers, leaving a non-webbed area 20 between two areas of webbing 18. An indentation 16 is present on the front 38 of both chambers 12. A grippable portion 22 is formed by the indentation 16, and could also include the non-webbed area 20 if the non-webbed area were enlarged in width to accommodate at least a finger.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a one-piece container 10 having three chambers 12, wherein the chambers are four-sided. An opening 14 is positioned at a top portion 30 of each chamber 12. Webbing 18 connects each pair of chambers 12. A non-webbed area 20 is present between two webbing areas extending between the middle and right chambers 12. An indentation 16 is present on the side 34 of the middle chamber. Formation of the indentation 16 on side 34 of the chamber 12 allows for a wider non-webbed area 20, sufficient to accommodate at least one finger. The non-webbed area 20 forms a grippable portion 22. A label 28 is present on one chamber.

FIGS. 4-11 show different views of another one-piece container 10 having three chambers 12. Each chamber has at least eight sides, with the right chamber (FIG. 4) having two V-shaped portions on the left side of the chamber. An opening 14 is positioned at a top portion 30 of each chamber 12. Webbing 18 connects each pair of chambers 12. A non-webbed area 20 is present between two webbing areas between both pairs of chambers. The chambers 12 are of different shapes, and of different volumes. Each chamber has an indentation 16 that extends across the sides 34, front 38, and rear 40 of each chamber, allowing the non-webbed areas 20 to be of sufficient width to accommodate at least one finger. The non-webbed areas 20 in combination with the indentations 16 form multiple grippable portions 22. The container 10 includes indexing features 24 corresponding to further indentations on each chamber, where the indexing features 24 correspond to indexing features in a cooperating device, for example, a photofinishing device such as a minilab. Numerical indicia 26 are present on the front 38 of each chamber 12, indicating the contents of each chamber. Further indicium 26 in the form of an arrow is present on the bottom 32 of the center chamber, indicating a direction of insertion into a cooperating device. Such indicia would be read and used in accordance with instructions on an accompanying label for the container, or instructions for use of the cooperating device.

The multi-chambered container described and shown herein has numerous advantages over existing container and dispenser devices. For example, the multi-chambered container provides more than one material in a confined space. The multi-chambered container further does not require a separate containment unit, such as a box, thereby simplifying manufacturing as compared to existing multiple bottle systems, and providing a more environmentally-friendly packaging by reducing packaging material use and waste. The features of the multi-chambered container can be designed to prevent incorrect loading of the container in a device, and can include indicia for ease of installation. The container has grippable portions, increasing the ergonomic ease of use. The container is also flexible, allowing play in alignment of the chambers in inserting into a device. Other advantages will be apparent upon reading the remainder of the document, and study of the accompanying figures.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

PARTS LIST

-   10 Container -   12 Chamber -   14 Opening -   16 Indentation -   18 Webbing -   20 Non-webbed Area -   22 Grippable Portion -   24 Indexing Feature -   26 Indicia -   28 Label -   30 Top Portion -   32 Bottom -   34 Side -   36 Corner -   38 Front -   40 Rear 

1. A one-piece container comprising: at least two chambers, wherein each chamber independently has an internal cavity defining a volume and an opening connected to the internal cavity, and at least one chamber has at least one indentation; webbing between each pair of chambers, wherein the webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area: and a grippable portion formed by at least one indentation in a chamber, a non-webbed area, or a combination thereof.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the chambers are in-plane.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the chambers define an arc.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the webbing is flexible.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one chamber is polygonal, having at least four sides.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one chamber is round.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an indexing feature.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the indexing feature comprises at least a portion of the webbing, at least one non-webbed area, at least one indentation of one of the chambers, indicia, or a combination thereof.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal cavity of at least one of the chambers comprises a filler to reduce volume.
 10. The container of claim 1, further comprising indicia.
 11. The container of claim 1, comprising at least three chambers.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the indentation is aligned with at least one non-webbed area.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the indentation and the aligned non-webbed area are the same length.
 14. The container of claim 12, wherein the indentation and the aligned non-webbed area are different lengths.
 15. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one indentation extends along a width of a side of a chamber.
 16. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal cavity of at least one chamber contains a fluid material or a solid material.
 17. The container of claim 16, wherein the fluid or solid material comprises ink, a developer, a bleach, a fixative, a disinfectant, a biocide, a cleaning agent, a surfactant, or chlorine.
 18. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal cavities of at least two chambers contain different materials.
 19. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal cavities of at least two chambers have different volumes.
 20. The container of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a label.
 21. The container of claim 20, wherein the label is integrally molded as a portion of the container.
 22. The container of claim 1, wherein the webbing and one or more non-webbed area together form a design, lettering, numerals, or perforations.
 23. A material delivery system comprising the container of claim 1, wherein at least two chambers of the container contain different materials.
 24. A waste collection system comprising the container of claim
 1. 25. A one-piece container comprising: at least two chambers, wherein each chamber independently has an internal cavity defining a volume and an opening connected to the internal cavity, at least one chamber has at least one indentation, and at least one chamber has eight sides; webbing between each pair of chambers, wherein the webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area; and a grippable portion formed by at least one indentation in a chamber, a non-webbed area, or a combination thereof.
 26. A system for delivery of materials, including: a one-piece container comprising at least two chambers, wherein each chamber independently has an internal cavity defining a volume and an opening connected to the internal cavity, and at least one chamber has at least one indentation; webbing between each pair of chambers, wherein the webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area: and a grippable portion formed by at least one indentation in a chamber, a non-webbed area, or a combination thereof; and a delivery mechanism attached to at least one opening of the container.
 27. A method of providing material for use in an apparatus having a supply port, comprising: providing a one-piece container comprising at least two chambers, wherein each chamber independently has an internal cavity defining a volume and an opening connected to the internal cavity, and at least one chamber has at least one indentation; webbing between each pair of chambers, wherein the webbing between at least one pair of chambers is discontinuous, forming at least one non-webbed area: and a grippable portion formed by at least one indentation in a chamber, a non-webbed area, or a combination thereof; cooperatively connecting at least one opening of the container to the supply port.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the apparatus includes a supply area, and the method further comprises inserting the container into the supply area.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the supply area includes at least one indexing feature, and the containment unit has a complementary indexing feature. 